To think this is too late to eat at a 4yo birthday party?

[TrainsandDiggers]

So my 2 and 4yo DC have been invited to DNs 4th birthday party. SIL has announced the timings are 11 - 3 at a child’s theme park then another big family party at their home 3:30 - 8:30. Meal times are scheduled for 2:30 and 6. AIBU to think these are odd timings?! Personally I think a whole day event is going to be a bit much for their age, but not even eating till 2:30?? I think my kids will be going wild by that point if I don’t sneak other food in!

it does sound a very full on day for such little ones. I would plan it out best I could so I would give breakfast then just before party give them something like a croissant and a piece of fruit. Make sure you have plenty of water and I did take buggy for younger one will they have a nap ? Then they can eat some party food at 2.30. How long is it between the theme park and their house ? is try to have some quiet relaxing time in the car if possible. I'd also have something like a banana and cheese and crackers for a snack for them later on before tea. My little boy did struggle with such a busy day at 4 and at 2 would have had to have a good nap. I wouldn't feel like you have to stay till the end of family party if your children are too tired and not enjoying it. You will have been involved nearly all day and if they need to go home earlier I would just take them. We left my cousins wedding at 6 as my little boy was too tired and busy day he was about 18 months and he would of got upset if I had kept him out later as needed his sleep and it's not enjoyable for anyone with upset little children.

Just take snacks with you and feed them before you leave.

It's just a day out with friends then a tea at someones house afterwards! Don't stress. Take snacks. Enjoy the big sleep that follows afterwards.

I think it will be fine. In the respect that if it's too much for your children then you just go. SIL has set the timings. I would knod along and go and smile. Then when the children are feral I would just say it's too much for them and time to go.

Do what you can. Give brunch before you leave (something eggy/high protein) and as others say take snacks. Bananas are good for slow releasing energy - although I don't find they travel particularly well. If you can get through that bit then I think the meal times will be fine. I can understand that they would be flagging though. My children (1 & 6) would be zonked by 6/7 and would be begging to go home. So if that happens then take them. If SIL or anyone else says anything i would just point out that they're only going to disrupt things and are clearly unhappy and it's out of your control.

Just give a substantial packed lunch at 10.30. That will get them through then have a snack for in between parties if needed.

Sounds like a hectic day regardless of food! Why would your sil do this to herself! Big day out followed by a big family party. I'd be shattered!

It’s not the first time she’s done this. Last year was 3 hours in soft play and a big family do. DN hated it and was beside himself by the end

Poor little sausage.

No. I think it’s a very odd (British?) idea, that children must eat at particular times. And that they are given masses of snacks, if there is any deviation to the usual routine

I think the 11-3 one will be a problem if other guests don't know the food won't be served until 2.30. Most kids parties seem to be two hours, eg, 1-3 you would know the kids would probably eat about 2 so would give them something before. If I was going to a long kids' party from 11-3, which is across lunchtime, I would expect the food in the middle otherwise kids would be having a very late lunch. Hopefully the other parents will know to bring snacks or the theme park cafe will be doing a roaring trade.

I don't really see the problem. I've been to children's parties at varying times, the children just eat or more typically don't eat whenever the food is provided. The rest of the time they're busy with the party activities.
I've never fed mine beforehand because the food isn't served dead on their usual lunchtime.

I know many people who have a late breakfast on the weekend (9 or 10am instead of 7am with the childcare/school/work rush) so a 2.30 lunch would not be unreasonable. If I had a toddler who had a routine of an early breakfast on the weekend then I would give them a snack before the party.

That sound good to me. You feed your child before they go at 10/10:30 and take a couple of snacks and they'll be fine until.2:30. Having then ate at 2:30, 6pm is a good evening meal time.

I don't necessary see the late meal as a problem on its own but at that age I would expect lots of children still go up early and have lunch around 12-1ish. If I wouldn't know that the meal is late I may would give my daughter a yoghurt or similar but wouldn't do a full second breakfast at 10.30am to keep her going.

It is all about communicating it to the parents. Tbh, if I would get an invite to a theme park party I would ask if a packed lunch should be brought or how food would be dealt with especially as the parents would need to eat as well, I can't imagine at that age leaving my child alone in a theme park.

Two year olds love this sort of thing, you're the one thats going to exhausted.

It’s an invitation not a summons. If you don’t want to go because your dc can’t cope with a whole day of fun... don’t go.

Bloody Hell... if people don’t get invited to parties they whinge. If they do get invited to
Parties they whinge.

There’s just no pleasing some people!

As others have said, feed them a sandwich on the way to the activity, and treat "lunch" as a snack, albeit a big one! Then tea/dinner at 6. If they start getting grouchy at the family party, everyone will know and then understand why/if you take them home early.